Disney sets iPad app trap

Platform allows users to buy film tix, content

In its latest effort to get its content onto every consumer platform, Disney has launched a Disney Movies app, exclusive to the iPad, that will let users watch trailers, read synopses of movies, search showtimes for films and buy tickets to those pics, purchase Blu-ray and DVDs and digitally download content.

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is the first new release to be offered on the Disney Movies app, along with 60 other Disney movies that are already in theaters or are now on DVD.

Ticket sales will be handled by Fandango and other online services.

Meanwhile the studio’s homevid division will use the app to connect consumers to Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and the Disney Store. More partners will be added with future updates of the app. Movies can also be downloaded directly to iTunes or Vudu accounts.”The Disney Movies app is a perfect way for our fans to learn more about the amazing creative content that is currently available from the Walt Disney Studios,” said Greg Brandeau, the studios’ chief technology officer.

The app follows the company’s May launch of Disney Tickets Together, a service on Facebook that lets users buy tickets to “Toy Story 3″ without leaving the social network site.

An iPhone and iPod Touch compatible app, based on Disney Movies, will be available this summer and apps for other smart phones are also in development.

Disney has already found success in launching popular iPad apps, with its ABC video player having been one of the first entertainment offerings when the iPad launched.

It’s been downloaded over 850,000 times since April, and more than 4.5 million episodes of TV shows “have been started” on the player, Disney said.

Additionally, ESPN’s ScoreCenter XL and ESPN Pinball are among the top apps in the sports and games categories.